Pneumatic action for musical instruments.



P. WELIN. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS..

APPLICATION FILED-JAN. 7, 1907.

928,296. Patented July 20, 1909.

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Patented July 20, 1909.

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APPLIOATI ON'IILED JAN. 7, 1907.

. P. WELIN. PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL IN STRUMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1907.

928,296. Patented July 20, 1909. s SHEETS-SHEET s.

P. WELIN PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

I APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1907. I 928,296. Patented July 20, 1909.

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PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7,1907.

928,296. Patented July 20, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

PETER wELIIv, or NEWCASTLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNQR TO ALBERT KaELL, orNEWCASTLE,

. INDIANA.

PNEUMATIC ACTION FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER WELIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Newcastle, in the county of Henry. and State ofIndiana,.have invented a new and useful Pneumatic Action for MusicalInstruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of music playing devices which,whether in the form of automatic pianos or the like, or in the form ofseparate devices for playing ordinary musical instruments, are operatedautomatically.

Although this application contains certain additional features, it is ingeneral an improvement on the invention set forth in my prior co-pendingapplication for an automatic playing attachment for musical instruments,Serial No. 290,749, filed December 7 to provide improved modulatingmeans which can be controlled manually it desired, in a simple andconvenient 'manner,-.preferably by the use of aslide valve and inconnection with an indicator; to rovide foro crating such means to moduate motes inrll vidually or in sections, as for instance by octaves, andwhen a lurality of notes is modu lated simultaneous yto provide forbringing the parts into such position that each note as sounded will beaccented without interfering with the modulatingaction, and for.accomplishing this in a simple, convenient andefulating effect; toprovide means for adjusting the tension of the preferably struments ofthis character.

While this invention is illustrated as,

preferably is, ap lied to an automatic musical instrument, an asemploying a hand-controlled modulating system, which is also p-referred, it is to be understood-that many features thereof are equallyapplicable to (playing devices for musical instruments, an also to thoseconstructions in which the modulat ing and accenting actions areautomatically controlled, as by the perforated music sheet. This aplicationfor patent is to be distinished. rom certain other inventionswhich have made and-forwh-ich I have filed applications, by the feetthat it covers the in- Specification of Letters Patent. inpplicati'onfiled January 7, 1907.

The principal objects of the 'invention areing drawings ficient manner;also to provide an improved. throttling mechanism for producing the modthrottling valve which is. and its connections. used; and generally toimprove and simplify the pneumatic actions for in-' Patented July 2 0,.1909; Seria1No.351,085.

vention broadly as just stated. My applica tion for patent on -Automaticmodulating mechanism for :musical instruments, Serial No. 351,086 filedJanuary 7, 19,07 is along similar lines and it relates more.particularly to means for automatically operating or controlling'themodulation from the music-sheet and tracker-bar both in combinationinstru- I ments and se arate players and'is in a general way con Iedto'such automatic means as distinguished from the hand-operated meanswhich this application is broad enough to include. Certain featureswhich relate more especially to the automatic operation from themusic-sheet and tracker-bar articularly for s'eparate'pl-ayers formusical instruments, form the-subject matter of my copending applicationfor patent on an Automaticp ayer for musical instruments, Serial No. 351058, filed on the same date and the broader invention applicable toseparate playingdevices controlled-either manually or automatically isset fortlr in my application loipatent on a Player for musicalinstruments filed on'the same date, Serial No. 351,087. V, a

Reference is to be had to the accompanywhich illustrate a practicablemode in which the above mentioned principles can be applied and in whichFigure 1 is a front elevation of a portion oi an automatic musicalinstrument showing the tracker-box, a modulating valve box and achannelboard with connections. Fig. 2 is a plan ofthe modulating valvebox. showing a sliding valve and connections for o erating. it and alsoillustrating a switch vzilve box Fig. 3 is a plan-of the switch valvebox with portions removed to show interior construction. Fig. 4 isa'sec- 't-ional view of the same on the line 4 -4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is aplan of'the sliding valve with portions removed to show interiorconstruction. Fi 6 is a similar view of the valve-in a di erentposition;Fig. 7 is a bottom lan'of the top plate of the sliding valve. i 8 is aplan of the'second plate I of the mo u'latin'g valve box, the top platebeing removed. Fig. 8? is a sectional view on the line a'-a of Fig. "5.Fig. 9 is a side elevation of a plate forming part of the modulatingvalve box sho g a series of springs for assisting in operat'i iig theaccenting valves f.plate constitutinga part-of the modulating Fig. 10is'a plan of'an'other valve box and located immediately below the plateshown in 9. Fig. 11 is a plan of two plates located below the plateshown in Fig. 10, the left-hand side of.the upper of these two platesbeing broken away. Fig. 12 is a lan of mechanism located below'theplates s own in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a plan of a plate located below theplates shown in Fig. 12 and constituting the lowest channeled late ofthe modulating valve box. Fig. 14 1s a plan of certain portions of themodulating valve box on enlarged scale with the horizontal plates brokenaway in different I modulating valve box.

planes, to show the relative positions of the parts, illustrating theplates shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 12. Figs. 15 and 16 are sectional viewstaken on the lines 15-15 and 1616, respectively, of Fig. 14. Fig. 17 isa longitudinal sectional view of one of the pneumatics showing itsconnections. Figs. 18 and 19 are plans with the parts above the lines184-18 and 19'19 respectively of Fig. 17 removed, and Fig. 20 is adiagrammatic view indicating certain features of .the invention andshowing how the several parts may be connected together.

, By reference to Fig. 20, the general characterl'stics andoperation ofa device exhibiting the principles of this invention can be observed. Atube 27, which Will be referred to as the suction tube connects areservoir (not shown) with a suction chamber 28 of the In this chamberare located a series of pneumatics 29, one for each note, or series ofnotes, as desired. In the present instance one of these neuniatics isshown for each octave. T iese pneumatics are supplied, as desired, withatmospheric air through channels 30, individually controlled by asliding valve 31 to permit the admission of air to any desired one ormore of the pneumatics. When air is admitted, it raises the pneumaticand operates a valve 32. The raising of this valve admits atmosphericair through a passage 33, a chamber 34, and a passage 35 to a tube 36.The asve is 0 en, the atmospheric air will pass through t e passage 35and along the corresponding tube 36 to a channel or series of cannels'38 which, if a lurality of notes are to be modulatedsimultaneously, are connected together, in sections, with a plurality ofmodulating channels 39, which in the form shown, are connected with thepneumatics of an octave. The air passing through the channels '36, 38and 39 o erates a pneumatic 40 to lift a throttle va ve 41 located in asuction chamber to throttle the passage betweenthis chamber and thestriking pneumatic 43. The parts so far described constitute a pneumaticmodulatingor softening means; Ihe operation of this pneumatic ispreferably controlled by the music sheet, the perforation of which admitair through sage 35 is controlled by a valve 37. If this 7 va ously sothat when their striking pneumatics-are connected with the suctionchamber by the action of their res ective neumatics 48, the air assagesW1 1 be t rottled to soften or l'l'lOL ulate the tone. If, while thisstate of affairs continues, it is desired to put the parts into suchcondition that if one ormore of the notes of that octave or section besounded the same will be accented, a lever 52 is manipulated to forcedown a valve 53 in a switch valve box 54 so as to admit atmospheric airto the chamber 55 therein. Previously, this chamber has been inconnection through a tube 56, with'the suction chamber 28 and thedepression of the valve cuts off the suction and permits atmospheric airto pass through a tube 57 to a switch valve chamber 58 which is providedwith a plurality of pneumatics 59, each one adapted to operate one ofthe valves 37 to close it. The air in the chamber 58 simultaneouslyoperates all of these valves and so cuts off the air from the passages35 and connects them with the suction chamber 28, thus preventing thesoftening action of any note or notes in that octave or section whichmay be sounded while the lever 52 remains, dc ressed, although theposition of the modu ating valves 32 is not changed. These portsconstitute a pneum'atic accenting means controlling a part of themodulating means.

From a consideration of the above it will be seen that by the properconstruction and operation of the sliding valve 31 and by the jmanipulation of'the lever 52, any desired octave or other set of notescan be softened or modulated when they are operated from the tracker-barin the usual way,- and that if desired, the parts may be set so that any1 one or more notes of those which are softened can be accented withoutinterfering with the operation of the modulating mechanism. Furthermore,the principles of the invention can be carried out in a compara Itively' sim le manner and for illustration of a practlca construction ofthe same reference is to be had to the other figures.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the modulating valvebox 280 is 10- I cated adjacent to the tracker-box 440. The tracker-boxmay be of any desired construction but is shown as provided with a glassfront plate 441 on which is located a scale 442 above the tracker bar sothat the;

struction of the valve. It, is shown, howtion as shown, and a straightend, they are perforations in the paper can readily be seen through thescale and their position relative thereto observed. the invention isillustrated in that form in which each passage 38 connects with thepneumatics of an entire octave, the scale is shown as indicatingoctaves.

The operation of the sliding valve 31 is shown as accomplished through arock shaft connected with the sliding valve by link work 61 andconnected with an operating lever 62. The rock shaft 60 is alsoconnected by-links 63 with a pointer 64 assing ovfer a curved indicator65 on the two erbox and showing the position 01' the sliding valve andthe octaves or other sets of notes which are modulated. y I The slidingvalve 31 can be constructed in many ways and the sition of the openingsin the top of the mo ulating valve box which communicate with themodulating valve pneumatics will, of course, modity'the conever, inFigs. 5, 6 and 7 as consisting of two plates; a top or cap plate 310 anda perforated bottom plate 311. The modulating valve box iaallso providedwith a top plate 300 and in this p ate are two series of o eningsorpassages, there being six eac series in the present case as there aresix octaves to which they are to connect. The passages of one seriesare. designated 30, 30*, 30, 30 30, and 30, respectively. Those of thesecond series are designated 30, 30, 30, 30, 30 and 30*". Each of thepneumatics 29 is connected with one passage in each series. The passagesof one series are so located that on the travel of the valve they willall be either covered or exposed simultaneously.. I There.- fore, it thevalve has a straight sliding molocated in a straight line but the areshown .as located in two lines and the va ve 31 as being provided withnotches 312 for admitting air-to those in the rear row, at .thesame timethat air is admitted to those in the other row, the position of thepassages and shape of the end of the valve being mutually dependentoneach other, and on the kind of motion imparted to the valve 31.

mm the valve is in the position shown in Fig. (3, all the passages 30,30", etc. are exposed to the air. If the valve now moves to the left,they willeach first be closed by the valve and on further movement ofthe valve in the same direction, the passages 30, 30, 30; 30 and 30"will be bled by being located under a series of perforations 314 in thebot-Z tom plate of the valve. 'l'hese perforations are of diil'crcntlengths to provide for keeping them in communication with the severalpassages in the plate 300 different periods of, time and they allcommunicate with a channel 315 in the lower side of the top plate 310.

This channel also communicates with another perforation 316 in thebottom plate 311 which, throughout the travel of-the valve, is locatedover a passage 301 in the plate 300 ber 28 so as to :bleed the severalpneumatics 29 when the valve is irr the proper position therefor.

In the position just described all the pneu-- iC'o'nseq-uent y, thepneumatic connected with thesetwo passages is open to the air and thatoctave is modulated.

In the form shown, the passages of the second series are arranged in twoparallel lines whi'ch'commumcate s with the'suction' chamwhich are inthe line of motion of two perforations 317 and 318, in the bottom plate311 which communicate with the assage 315; whereby all the pneumaticscan be bled in an obvious manner. On further movement to the left thepassage 30 is exposed to the air while that perforation 314 with whichthe passage 30 was connected'now passes beyond that passage and thebleeding of the pneumatic 29 connected with the assages I 30 and 30 isstopped. As the vave continues to move 'to-the left, these operationsare repeated with the other passages and neumatics. When the assage" 30is closed by the advancing side of the notch '313, it comes intocommunication with the perforation 31-7 in the bottom plate 311, to

bleed'that pneumatic. The corresponding perforation 318 successivelyconnects the perforation '30 and those in line therewith with thechannel 315 in the same way.

It will be seen that as the valve moves,

the indicator 64 'moves with it and shows which octaves are modulated.In the form shown, this indicator when on the numeral 6 indicates thatthe sixth octave alone is modulated, but when on the numeral 5 itindicates that both the fifth and sixth are modulated and when onthenumeral 4 it shows that all three are connected in this manner. Inthe s aces between the numerals 4 and 3 there wi 1 be positions in whichoctaves 4 and 5 and then octaves 3 and 4 are modulated. The same stateof affairs occurs on the other side. When the pointer is be end thescale on the left, it indicates that a the passa es of one series areclosed and there is no 1110 ulation, but when'beyond the scale on theright, it indicates that they are all open, the slide being in positionshown in Fig. 6, and

all the notes of the instrument are modu- 30 and 30, etc., to thepneumatics 29 will now be traced. Fig. 8 shows a plate 302 containingEontinuations of the two series of passages in the plate 300, thesecontinuations elng given the same reference characters as they are inthe plat 300. Channels are rovided either in the top or bottom of the pate 302 for connecting the passages of'the two series. For example achannel 3 connects the passages 30 and 30; Channels 3,3, 3 3 and 3 arealso provided for connecting the other passages. Some of these channelsare located entirely on one side of the plate, while others are locatedpartly in one side and partly in the other, the two parts beingconnected by a perforation. Each of these channels is also so formed asto coinmunicate with one of the series of six channels 30. It will beseen, therefore, that through the series of channels 3, 3, 3, 3, 3, and3 which are connected with the neumatics 29, all of the passages of thetwo sets in the top plate 300 are put into communication with theirrespective neumatics.

The passage 301 is located direct y over and terminates in, a channel303 in the plate 302 which communicates with a perforation 304. Thisperforation communicates with the suction chamber 28 as has been stated.Below the plate 302 are a series of parallel plates 281, 282, 283, 284,285, 286, 287 and 288. These lates when properly located, together withtiie plates 300 and 302, constitute the modulating valve box. Byreference to Fig. 15, it will be seen that each of the passages 30,extends through all of these plates except 287 and 288. Each passage 30cornmunicates with the corresponding pneumatic 29 which is supported onthe topof the plate 286. The suction chamber 28 is located in the plate285 and bounded on the top and bottom by the lates 284 and 286. Theformer of these p ates has a passage for the valve 32 to connect thesuction chamber with the passage 35 above mentioned, which is located inthe plate 284. The plate'285 has a channel communicating with'the";'passage 304 which thus leads to the suction chamber. In the plate282 is located the chamber 34 which is in communication with the outsideair through the passages 33; Although in Fig. 20 a separate one of thesechambers and passage 'is shown foreach modulating valve, it is preferredto construct the same in the form of a single long chainber extendingthroughout the main part of the length of the plate 282. V

By reference to Fi 16, it will be seen'vthat the passage 35 communicateswith one of the tubes 36 except when thelplassage is closed by theswitch valve 37. e construction of the various elements making u thispart of the apparatus can be varied wit in wide lirn its but aconvenient way in which the various passages and other features can belocated is illustrated in the drawings. Into the pas sages 351 oftheplate 282 project a series of engaging a valve 37 andnormallyassisting in o ding it down onto its lower seat. The plate 282 isprovided with perforations which constitute ortions of the assages 35.This is illustrate in the'form o a series of direct perforations 351each communicating with a channel 352 communicating with the passage 35and in the top of the plate 282 these perforations 351 are connectedwith slots 353 which communicate with perforations 354 which in turncommunicate through perforations in theplate 283 with the main partsofthe passages 35, The plate also contains continuations of the per-.forations 351 and a series of perforations 355 constitutingseats for theu per part of the valve 32. The plate 284 a so contains the perforationsor channels 351 and 354-and the main parts of the assages 35 whichextend upwardly throug through, which the valve 32 passes. The passages35 are connected with the suction chamber by perforations 356. The nextlate below, namely, that numbered 285, as

as been stated, contains the suctionchamber 28, into whichthe'perforations 356 enter and it also communicates through erforations357 with the passages 352 in t e plate 284. These assages 352 extenddown through the hits 285 as well as through all the plates be ow it andas has been said, the passage 304 extends into the notch 305in the plate285 through which it connects with the suction chamber. This plate alsohas a channel 270 communicating with the suction ipe 27 and a channel560,- entering the next plate 286, which communicates with the tube 56.The latter plate contains perforations constitutingpart of the assages30, and 352 and of the chamber 58, c annels in the under side of thisplate also constituting part of the passages 30. The next plate numbered287 contains a part of the assage 560 but aside from this, this is mercyprovided with two sets of six erforations, each constituting p ortionsoft e passages352 and chamber 58.

he same is true of the bottom plate 288 and springs 371 carried by theplate 281 each for the perforations 355 3 this is provided with sixchannels .on its upper and lowerv faces connecting the passages 352 withthe tubes 36. It also has a channel constituting part of the chamber 58and conheating it with the tube 57 and also one channel constitutingpart of the passage 560 with the several tubes 36, 56 and 57. Thetubes56 and 57 are connected with the switch valvebox 54 in a mannerindicated in 5 Figs. 3 and 4, The construction of this box has beerndicated by the description above given a" the manner iof op'eratipg thelever 52 is all that need be described. It will be noted that this leveris raised and lowered to operate the valve 53 instead of being swung ona vertical pivot as is the case with most of the levers employed oninstruments of this character. It is shown in Fig. 2 as being pivoted inbearings 520 and as having an arm 521 which is adapted to be operated bythe raising and lowering of any desired one of the levers employed forregulating the. instrument. It might be operated by the lever 62 but itis shown as operated by the tempo lever 522, the lever being moved tooperate the valve in a plane parallel with the axis of the pivot onwhich it swings to regulate the tempo.

The channels 38 are located in a channel board 330 and are shown in theform of series of connected channels each of the series communicating inthis instance, with eleven valve boxes and striking pneumatic-s. Thiscommunication is made in each instance through one of the passages 39.This channel board is also provided with one perforation 420 for eachvalve box, communicating with the suction chamber 42. These variouspassages communicate with the valve boxes 430 in any desired manner tocarry out the principle as indicated in Fig. 20.

By reference to Figs. .17, 18 and 1.9, a practical manner of connectingthese elements will be seen. The operation of this part of the devicehas been ,suiilciently (le scribed with reference to Fig. 20. Onefeature, however, is indicated in detail-in this figure which is notshown in Fig. 20. This is a resilient means for controlling theoperations of-the throttle valve 41 and an adjustment therefor. This isconstructed as follows: A spring 66 is provided for normally holding thevalve 41' down and preventing its rising far, enough to throttle the airpassage. As these springs are liable to lose part of their res liency inuse, means is provided for adjusting the tension thereof. For this.

purpose each spring 66 is so formed that the part extendmg from thestationary end of the spring is on an inelineand a block 57 is mountedbetween this incline and the wall of the passage in which it islocat'ed,thisblock being adapted to limit the niotion of the spring in onedirection. Means is provided forshifting this block' back and forth toadjusttlietension of the spring; I means is shown in the form of a soreSeXte'nding out of the valve box so that i be manipulated from theoutside. Tli, screw .68 is held in adjusted position by means of a nut69 thereon-which is in turn held clamp 70 secured i position by thebolts which the valve-boxesare fastened.

The valvesl32 may if desired, be maile in the fornr ol' differentialvalves as is indi'cated in F ig. 15. In this case each one has a valvemember 320 for closing the passage 356 and a valve member 321 forclosing the passage 355, these two members being movable to gether andalso independently. A spring 322 normally holds them apart. Thepneumatic in rising, first forces up the rod 323; carry: ing the member320 to its seat, then the spring unseats the member 321. I do not hereinclaim this differential valve as it forms the subject of a separateapplication. It will be obvious, therefore, that with a constructionsuch as that illustrated, the principles set forth in connection withthe description of Fig. 20 can be practically. and simply carried outand that provision is made for accomplishing all the results which havebeen referred to. Y

It will befobserved that this application contains features somewhatsimilar to certain features set forthr'in each of my above mentionedapplications. The sliding valve set forth herein is intended as animprovement over the, oscillating valve set forth in my above mentionedapplication, SerialNo. 290,749. .The valve box also shown most clearlyin Fig. 17 of this case is an improves ment over a somewhat similarconstruction shown in said application. As to my other three aboveidentified applicationsgit may be said that while they show certainfeatures represented in this case either by the same or similarmechanism, itis intended to claim all such features in this case, bothbroadly and specifically with the exception of the difl'erential'valveshown most clearly in Fig. 15 which forms the subject matter of myco-pendin'g applicationon a Valve for pneumatically controlled musicalinstruanents, Ser, No. 351,089, filed January},

1907. The throttlevalve adjustingdevice shown ,most clearly in Fig. '17is not specifically claimed herein," as. it is claimed in my abovementioned case, Ser. No. 351,086. The sliding valve also is claimedherein only in combination, as it is broadly claimed in my ap lication351,087. v

Whi e I have illustratedand described a articular form in which theinvention can e embodied, I am aware that many modiiications may be madetherein-by any person skilled in the art without departing fromthespirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I-donot 'wish'to be limited to the exact construction shown but -VV hat I doclaim is: I

1. In a music playing 'device,'the combination of a plurality ofpneumatic means-for by each of sai 5 the notes.

manually control a part of each of said modulating means to accent thenotes while the remainder of said modulating means remains in operativeposition.

3. Ina music laying device, the combination of a plur' 'ty of manuallycontrolled pneumatic means for modulating notes, and means forcontrolling a part of each of said modulating means to accent the noteswhile the remainder of the modulating means is in operative position.

4. In a music playing device, the combination of a modulatin valve,means controlled from said modulating valve for modulating or softeninga series of notes, means for opcrating said modulatin valve,, and meansfor controlling a part 0 said valve controlling means to accent thenotes while said modulating valve remains in position for 2 modulatingthe notes.

5. In a music playing device, the combination of a modulating valve,means controlled from said modulating valve for modulating 'or softeninga series of notes, means for controlling a part of said valvecontrolling means to accent the notes while said modulating valveremains in position for modulating the notes, manual y operated meansfor controlling said modulating valve, and

manually operated pneumatic means controlling the second means.

6. In a music playing device, the combination of amodulating valve,connections controlled thereby for modulating or softening a series ofnotes, manually controlled neumatic means for operating said modu atingvalve, and means for controlling a part of said connections to. accentthe notes while said valve remains in position for modulat- 40 ing thenotes. a

' 7. In a music playing device, the combi- 8. In amusic pla ing device,the combination of a tracker ar, striking pneumatics means controlledfrom the tracker-bar or the like for operating astriking pneumatic foreach note, throttle valves, manually controlled means for setting aseries of said throttle valves to soften their respectivenotes whenoperated from the tracker-bar, and means for operating a portion, ofsaid tle valves to accent a note while the remainder of the manuall.controlled means remains in position or modulating all the notesof theseries.

9. L In a music playing device, the .combina-g ed means to set thetliret tion of a tracker-bar a plurality of striking neumatics, meanscontrolled from a tracker bar for operatingthe same, a throttle valvefor each of said-pneumatics, means for setting a s'eriesrof 'saidthrottle valves to cause the notie'scontrolled thereby to be softened,

and manually controlled means for control ling a ortion of said means totake the throttle va ves out of throttling osition while said settingmeans of the senes remains in position for operating the throttlingvalves of that series.

a series of said pneumatics and admitting atmosphericair to thepneumatics of said series to place them in throttling position, andmeans for connecting the throttle valve pneumatics of the instrument"with the suction chamber to withdraw them from operative position whilethe said closing means is in operation.

11. In a music playing device, the combi-' nation of a plurality ofseries of throttle valve pneumatic-s, a suction chamber normallyconnected with all of said pneumatics, means for disconnecting thepneumatics of any one of said series from the suction chamber andadmitting atmospheric air thereto, and means for making connectionbetween all of said pneumatics and the suction chamber while saiddisconnectin means remains in its operative position, w iereby when thelast named means is returned to inoperative position, all the throttlepneumatics of said series will be left in modulating position.

12. In a music. playing device, the combination of a plurality of seriesof throttle valves, pneumatics therefor, a suction chamber havingconnection-with said neumatics, a modulating valve for each of saidseries adapted to connect the throttlevalve pneumatics of its serieswith the suction chamber or the outside air, a pluralityof-switch-valves,

one for each series, and connections whereby they are simultaneouslyoperable to connect all of the throttle valve pneumatics with thesuction chamber independently of the position of the modulating valves.

13. In a music playing device, the combination, of a suction chamber,.aplurality of series of throttle valves, pneumatics therefor normallyconnected with the suction chambar, a modulating valve'for each of saidseries to control the connection of the throttle valve pneumaticsthereof with the suction chamber and with the outside air, a pneumaticin sand suctlon chamber for each of said modulating valves, a switchvalve for each of said series of throttle valve pneumatics, andpneumatics for operating all of mace said switch valves to connect allof the throttle valve pneumaticswith' the suction chamber independentlyof the .position of the modulating valves.

- 14. In a music playing device, the combination of a plurality ofseries of throttle valves, a plurality of series of Pneumatics therefora modulating valve for each of sai'd series of pneumatics, a pneumatictor-controllingeaeh of said modulating valves, a sliding valve forcontrolling the admission of air to said pneumatics, a suction chamber,channels connecting said throttle valve pneumatics with the suctionchamber, each of said modulating valves constituting means forcontrolling one of said channels, and means operable independently ofthe modulating valves for connecting all of the channels with thesuction chamber.

. 15. In a music playing device, the combination of a suction chamber,throttle-valves, p'ncumatics therefor connected with the suctionchamber,means for connecting said throttle valvc pneumatics' with" the suctionchamber or with-the ()lllZSltlGiLll' comprising channels and modulatingvalves, and ,-c a

switch-valve for connecting the channels with the suction chamberindependently of file position of said modulating valves, a

F the connection of pneumatic insaid suction chamber for operating theswitch valve, and a switch box for operating said pneumatic, said switchbox having a'valvefor normally preventing the admission of air thereto,and for permitting the same with the suction chamber. r 16. In a musicplaying device, the combination ofa plurality of switch valves, asuction chamber with which said valves are connected, a pneumatic foreach of said switch valves,fa channel communicating'with all of saidpneumatics, a switch-box communicat ing with said channel and with thesuction chamber, and a valve inthe switchbox normally preventing theadmission of air to said channel and capable of cutting said switch boxoil from direct communication with the suction chamber, andsimultaneously admitting air to the switch-box and channel for operatingsaid pneumatics. v 17. In amusic playing device, the combi nation ol aswitch-box having two chambers therein, a suction chamber with which oneof said chambers communicates, a series of pneumatics with-,which theother chamber communicates, a perforated partition between saidchambers, a erforated wall opposite said partition for an mittingatmospheric air to the pneumatics, a valve adapted to close theperforation in the partition or wall, means for operating said valve, avalve box containing said suction chamber, striking pneumatics, andmeans in said valve box for modulating the striking ell'ect ol saidstriking pneumatics.

18. In a music playing device, the combination of a series ofswitch-valves, a pneumatic for each of said valves, a switch-valve boxhaving means'for controlling theadmission of air to said-pneumatics, amodulating valve-boxliaving a suction chamber in which said, pneumaticsvalve, a pneumatic insaid suction chamber for operati'ng'said modulatingvalve, and a sliding valve forcontrollingthe admission of air to thelast named'pneumatic.

19; In a modulating valve box for music playing devices, tl1ecombination of a series of plates having. a plurality of passagestherethrough, a sliding admission of airto-said passages, a pneumaticconnected with each passage, a sues tion chamber in communication withthe other side of said pneumatic, a valve controlled by each of saidpneui'natics, a passage controlled by each of said valves, the valveconstituting means for controlling the connection of thepassage with thesuction chamher or with the atmospheric air, and a switch valvein' eachof said passages.

' 20. In a modulating valve box for a music playing device, thecombination of a series of plates having apassagetherethrough, avalvefor controlling the admission of air through said passage, a pneumaticat the end of said passage, a suction chamber communicating with theother side of said moumatic, a second passage, a valve controlled bysaid pneumatic for controlling the connection ol' the second passagewith the suction chamberor with the external an", a switch valve, aspring for normally holding said switch-valve l'rom. its seat, and apneumatic located in said suction chamber and adapted to .move theswitch valve to close said passage independentlyof the position of thefir:-- mentioned valve;

21. A modulating valve box for music playing devices, having a series ofpassages therein, a modulating valve and pneumatic for each passagecontrolled by the-admission of air thereto through the passage, aswitchvalve and pneumatic for each passage, a passage for controllingthe admission of air to and operating said switch valve pneumat- T ics,a va ve for controlling the admission of air to said passage connectedwith the second series of pneumatics, and means for control ling theadmission of air to the first series of neumatics.

22. A modulating valve box for music playing devices, having a series ofpassages therein, a modulating valve and pneumatic for each passagecontrolled by the adnnssion 1 of air thereto through the passage, aswitch valve and pneumatic for each passage, a passage for controllingthe admission of air to and operating said switch valve pneunniticmanually operated means for sl m ullaneously controlling the admissionof air to all ol' --he valve for-controlling the U are located, amodulating second series of pneumatics and manually operated means forcontroll ng the admission playing devices, having a series of passagestherein, a modulating valve and'pneumatic for each passage controlled bythe admission of air thereto through the passage, a switch valve andpneumatic for each passage, a pas-- sage for controlling the admissionof air to and operating said switch valve pneumatics, means forcontrolling'the admlssion of air to the second series of pneumatics, anda sliding valve having a lurality of passages for individually controling the passage of air to the first series of neumatics.

24. In a music p aying device, theco'mbi nation of a plate havingpassages, a pneumatic with which each passage is connected,

' tlenchamber a modulating valve for cona suction chamber, and a valvefor closin said passages having a channel connect'e with the suctionchamber, and means for connecting all closed passages with said channelto leave the pneumatics connected therewith in all positions of thevalve.

25. In a muslc playing device, the combination of pneumatics, a channelconnected with each of said pneumatics, and a suction chamber with aplate having two series of passages, onc passage of each series beingconnected with one of the other series and with the channel connectedwith a pneumatic, the passages of one series being arranged in parallellines, and those of the other series in parallel lines at an angle tothose of the first series, and a valve having means for successivelyuncovering the passages of one series during the motion of the valve inone direction, said valve having passages located in position toregister with the passages of one of said series when the valve movesinto a position to cover them, and passages adapted to register with thepassages of the other series when the valve covers the same, said valvealso having a passage con-' nected with the suction chamber andcommunicating with said passages in the valve.

26. In a music playing device, the combination of pneumatics, and asuction chamber, with a plate having passages therein, eachcommunicating with a pneumatic for operating the same, and a movablevalve having means for successively uncovering said passages during itsmotion, and means for connecting the covered passages with the suc tionchamber to leave the pneumatics connected with the suction chamber afterthe outside air iscut ofi? therefrom.

i 27. In a music playing device, the combination of a series" ofstriking pneumatics, a suction chamber,'-a valve for controlling theconnection of said pneumatics with the suction chamber and with theoutside air, means for operating said valve, a neumatic and valveoperable independent y of the first named valve-for throttling thepassage therefrom to the suction chamber, a second suctrolling theconnection of said throttling valve with said second suction chamber orwith the outside air, and a switch valve for with the second suctionchamber independently of the modulating-valve.

28. In a music playing device, the combination of pneumatics, a platehaving two series of passages, those of each series being at an angle tothose of the other, means for connecting one passage of each series witha corresponding passage of the other series, and with a pneumatic, asuction chamber, saidplate also having a channel connected with saidsuction chamber, and a valve having means for successively exposing thepassages'of one series to the open aim and connecting the closedpassages of the 'bther series with the said suction shamber.

' In testimon whereof I have hereunto set i my hand, in t e presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

PETER WELIN.

' Witnesses:

ALMA E. YAGER, Enwm B. PFAU.

